Disaster Relief Stories

Disaster Relief Team leads 90 year old to faith in Christ

It is amazing what God does when love is demonstrated in and during times of adversity. Nine members of the Disaster Relief Team of First Baptist Church of Jasper, Alabama, responded to the ice storm damage in Richmond, Kentucky, in February 2009.

This devastating event led to the profession of faith of Mr. and Mrs. Toivo E. Puro. The couple is seen seated on their front porch in the photo at right. As a chaplain, I was privileged to visit them while our chain saw team cut and removed the downed trees and limbs around their home.

Mr. Puro's ancestors migrated to the United States from Finland and eventually settled in Maryland. He excelled in academics in high school and earned a four year scholarship to Western Maryland College where he graduated with honors in 1933 with a major in Math/Sciences. His academics, determination and willingness to work at odd jobs led to a distinguished career with the US Department of Defense in the development and procurement of military weapons and equipment where he received many awards for excellence and achievement.

Mr. Puro was happy to share with us about his recent 97th birthday. We talked about the Bible, I presented the plan of salvation and the Holy Spirit led Mr. and Mrs. Puro to accept Christ as Savior and Lord. We were overjoyed to be a part of their new spiritual birth into the Kingdom. The Puros were especially grateful for the Bible we gave them, signed by all nine team members. We suggested that they begin studying in the Gospel of John.

We have treasured memories of our time together in this most important event in their life.

Submitted by: W. Frank Banks, Jasper, AL
                     Chaplain Disaster Relief Team